Diego Costa says he will move elsewhere if Chelsea price him out of Atletico Madrid transfer

Speaking to ESPN Brasil, Chelsea striker Diego Costa has stated that he will consider moving elsewhere if Atletico Madrid are unable to match his asking price.

Chelsea claimed the Premier League title last season in fine fashion under the tutelage of Antonio Conte and one of the most important figures in helping the Blues lift the English crown was striker Diego Costa.

Costa spearheaded the Chelsea attack and his 20 goals in the Premier League proved to be crucial in helping the Blues rip apart opposition teams with consummate ease.

Surprisingly though, Costa was told he would be surplus to requirements by manager Antonio Conte at the end of the season through a text message and the striker now looks all but certain to be leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Spanish international clearly dismissed any chances of reconciliation after being pictured partying in Brazil with an Atletico Madrid top on and having failed to report back to training, he has been criticizing Conte quite vehemently as well.

It is clear to see that Costa is pinning for a move back to Atletico but there is a strong claim that Chelsea are pricing him out from a return to the Vicente Calderon by setting a steep asking price.

In addition, Atletico are currently under a transfer ban and there has been speculation that Everton could potentially make a swoop for the 28-year-old till January.

Now as a huge boost to Everton’s hopes of signing Costa, the attacker has gone on to state that he is open to joining other clubs if Atletico Madrid are unable to match his price tag and there is now a possibility that the Spaniard could join Goodison Park for the next six months, at the very least.

He told ESPN Brasil, “My agent said that Chelsea want something that Atletico can’t get near. When we heard that Conte didn’t want me anymore, my agent went to find out if there was interest from Atletico for me coming back.

“Of course for the warmth and respect that I earned there, they showed interest. But they wouldn’t pay a fortune. But if Atletico and Chelsea don’t come to an agreement and Atletico don’t make a big effort, I can’t keep on wanting to play for a club that isn’t going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me.

“I know that this [big effort] will happen, but if it’s to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won’t be possible. I’m not going to let them decide just to get more money.

“When I came to Chelsea they paid a lot less compared to what’s being offered to them. I think they should take into account everything that I’ve done. It’s not my fault that I’m not at the club. If it was down to me I’d be playing.”